Godolphin's Blue Point aiming to follow up Ascot heroics

Godolphin‘s Blue Point, emphatic winner of the King’s Stand Stakes, heads 19 horses confirmed at the five-day stage for the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.

The four-year-old is set to step back up six furlongs after his convincing performance over the minimum trip.

Trainer Charlie Appleby believes the Shamardal colt should be as effective at both distances.

“I’m delighted with the way he’s come out of the race and looking forward to him stepping back up to six,” Appleby told At The Races.

“He held the course record at Ascot as a three-year-old so I see no negatives about going up in trip again. Most importantly the horse has done well and we’re very pleased with the way he’s going into the race.

“Yesterday the soreness and inflammation was there and once we made the decision he was not running, we got the anti-inflammatories in there to get the swelling down.”

He added: “At the end of the day, coming here today was the race everyone was looking forward to. You’ve the Derby form here again and it is the first time the three-year-olds are taking on the older horses.

“I’m very fortunate in who I work for (Sheikh Mohammed). You’ve got to be positive in this game and keep pushing forward.

“Until the middle of next week, I would be giving everyone false impressions if we said the King George or Arc. Until we get next week out the way and know what we are dealing with, I can then give people a race plan.

Clubs

History on the cards as Godolphin's Masar bids for Derby and Coral-Eclipse double

Godolphin‘s Masar can join an elite band of horses to complete the Derby-Eclipse double when he lines up for the Coral-sponsored Group One at Sandown.

The feat has only be achieved five times since the end of the Second World War, with Tulyar in (1952), Mill Reef (1971), Nashwan (1989), Sea The Stars (2009) and Golden Horn (2015) standing tall in the annals of racing history.

Now it is Masar’s turn to join that illustrious honour when he takes on older horses in what is the first major clash of the generations in a season.

Masar heads to the Esher track with top-class credentials. Winner of the Solario Stakes there in September, the son of New Approach has ventured far and wide with trips to France, America and Dubai.

While he was not successful in any of those countries, the experience stood him in good stead and were crucial to his education.